This Leader Turns Theories Into Accomplishments

With ideas under siege, the world needs intellectual leaders with the creativity and vision to translate ideas into practice and restore people’s faith in knowledge along the way. Dan Porterfield has done that as president of Franklin & Marshall, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania.

Last week, he was appointed president of the Aspen Institute, a think tank that fosters leadership and nonpartisan dialogue. That’ll give wider exposure to his flair for turning ideas into action.

I’ve known Porterfield for half a decade, through my grandfather’s involvement in Franklin & Marshall. I’ve been most impressed with the way he transformed the college’s student body.